BMX UNION

Name:
Marcus James Tooker

Location:
Typing this from my parent’s couch on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, while watching “Cast Away.” But I currently call Greenville, North Carolina home.

Sponsors:
None

I saw you weren’t on Haro for 08′ what’s the deal about that?
It was quite an honor to be a part of Haro, but I guess they weren’t into keeping me around. It was definitely a fun year.

Do you have any new sponsors lined up?
I’ve briefly talked to a few people, but nothing for sure yet. Time will tell.

Photo Credit: terrell gordy

07′ was a pretty solid year for you, what was your favorite part?
I really enjoy going to the different cities with the dew tour. I usually try and do some touristy stuff, and ride my bike a lot, of course. Any time I’m on the road, I’m happy.

You originally moved to Greenville for school, are you still doing that or is riding main priority now days?
I moved to Greenville because it’s unique in that I can go to school to get a degree, which is pretty important to me, and I can ride my bike as much as I want on some of the best ramps in the world.

What are you going to school for anyways?
I’m about 32 semester hours shy of graduating with a degree in small business and entrepreneurship, and yes I am still going. I took last semester off because I traveled so much with contests and such. Now I’m kind of wishing I’d done something in the sports medicine department, but who knows, I might go back when I’m done with the whole business thing. I like school, and don’t really mind going.

Photo Credit: Jordan Vilonna

Do you have keys to the unit or Mirra’s place?
I have a key to the Unit.

What’s it like to be able to ride those places, and with those people all the time, does it still feel unreal or is it just something you’re used to?
It’s pretty amazing, and just loads of fun. Everyone down here is real cool and fun to ride with. I guess I’m kinda used to it, but that doesn’t mean I’m at all tired of it. You just know that when you go to ride, stuff is gonna go down. I love it.

Have you been riding the trails down there much? I think Quinn mentioned there was a lot of trails stuff going on around Greenville lately?
My roommate Jordan has some real good trails going on the outside of town. The weather in Greenville has been pretty awesome this fall so lots of people have been digging. I love to go ride and dig and just hang out in the woods. I don’t get out there as much as I’d like, but I try and go at least once a week and put my time in behind the shovel. For the record, Quinn is the laziest man with a shovel I’ve ever seen. Ha.

What are some of the tricks you have been working on lately?
I’ve been riding a lot more street lately, so I guess bunnyhop stuff. This is a hard one, I guess the best answer would be whatever pops into my head as I’m rolling along.

Photo Credit: terrell gordy

What is one trick you have had the most trouble with that nobody would believe?
Flairs, I’ll never have them dialed, but I’ve been struggling for a few years now.

How did you end up doing on the dew tour this year? Do you plan on doing that again next year?
Some stops I did well, and other stops, not so well. I’ll definitely be doing it again next year. I enjoy going to them.

Any video parts or web edits or anything coming out with you in it soon?
I have some footage that was going to be for an Adio video, but there’s no more Adio in bmx, so I’m not sure what I’ll do with the footy. Possible web video? Who knows?

Who are some of your biggest riding influences?
There’s a bit too many to list, I like most anybody who you can tell enjoys being on their bike.

Do you think your riding would be where it is at without riding in Greenville?
I’d definitely still be riding, but probably not as often or at the level I’m at now. If I went to school in Boston, like everyone else I went to high school with, I’d probably be doing weekend trips up to rye airfield and snowboarding a lot more.

Would you suggest more people to move to Greenville, or how do you feel about the whole “pro town gotta go there” thing?
I suggest people do what makes them happy. I’ve been there long enough to see people come and go trying to “make it” in bmx; they never last too long. It’s a fun place to ride, and I’d like for everyone to come visit, and if you like it, stay.

What is on the christmas wish list since thats coming up in about a week or so?
A new car, haha, but that’s not gonna happen. I never know what I want. I’d be psyched with some new socks and a Pixies T-shirt.

If you could spend the day with anybody alive or dead for the day, who would it be and why?
It’d have to be my High School Astronomy teacher, Mr. Gyra. He’s kind of kooky in an extremely awesome way and has a real positive outlook on things.

Photo Credit: terrell gordy

Where are some places you would really like to visit?
I’ve been a lot of places in the US, so pretty much anywhere out of the country. I’ve heard so many cool things about New Zealand and Australia, those 2 are on the top of the list for sure.

What is the trick to picking up the ladies?
If only I knew. . . I guess just be yourself and you’ll get a good one eventually. There’s a lot of crazy ones out there, ha.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years and what are some things you would like to accomplish?
I really have no idea where I’ll be. Maybe still Greenville? I gotta finish school and maybe go back and do something medical. Hell, I could be married, haha. I’ll definitely still be riding. I’d just like to stay happy doing whatever it is I’m doing.

Outside of riding, who are some of your biggest influences?
Anybody who enjoys their life, I get psyched on positive people.

If you could do anything in the world for a job (outside of riding of course) what would you want to do?
There’s this lady on the travel channel who travels around and tests out vacation spots in all kinds of weird places. I definitely want her job.

Photo Credit: Jordan Vilonna

What is BMX to you and is there anything that should be changed?
BMX is just something I do that challenges me and puts a smile on my face. As for what should be changed, I’m not real sure. I guess I feel like a lot of people take it a bit too seriously worrying about what parts are cool and who has the best style. Not that that’s ever going to change, but to me, it’s just about being on a bike.

Anybody you would like to thank or give a shout out to?
My Massachusetts family, my Greenville family and anyone else who has helped me or had a good session with me along the way.

Anything else I forgot you would like to add?
Thanks for reading this, now get off the internet and go ride your bike!!!!!!

(an older video interview with Marcus from VitalBMX.com which has a lot of good riding.)